Traveling crane



Oct. 27, 1925- G. E. MOORE TRAVELING CRANE Filed Feb. 11, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inuemor wgwt Oct. 27, 1925. 1,558,746

G. E. MOORE TRAVELING CRANE Filed Feb. 1, 1924 5 -Sheet 2 8. Z. (m'orneg Oct. 27, 1925- 46 G. E. MOORE TRAVELING CRANE F11 5 F 11. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 QIL 3 24 24 44 if; F133;

5/ I 49 49 lg Inoenfor e0 \ge"Edumrdfloomv morneg Oct. 27, 1925; 1,558,746

G. E. MOORE TRAVELING CRANE Filed Feb. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lnu emor MW '6 G. E. MOORE Oct- 27 1925- 1,558,746

TRAVELING CRANE Fil d F b, 11, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnuemor GeorgeEdwordNoore.

AWornu Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE EDWARD MOORE, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASSIG-NOR TO MANNING, MAX- WELL 8c MOORE, INC., 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TRAVELING CRANE.

Application filed February 11, 1924. Serial No. 691,955.

To all whom it may; concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE- EDWARD Moons, a citizen of the United States of inner-lea, residing at Muskegon, in the county of Muskegon and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traveling Cranes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, cle; and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a novel construction of traveling crane and one particularly designed for the purposes of safety in handling dangerous objects or materials. One place where the crane is of value is in the handling of molten metal as in transferring the same from a furnace to a mold. Cranes making use of cables and winding drums have been used but are not fully satisfactory.

The cables, subjected as they are in service. to great strains become weakened by parting of strands thereof, many times within the cables. These breaks in the inner strands of the cables do not appear and the cables may become much weakened without any appearance thereof and finally part under load, allmving the load to dropwith very disastrous results, specially when the load consists of many tons of molten metal carried in a container having an open top, with workmen underneath or under and to one side, death and serious injury almost ulwais occurring in such cases.

hay invention is directed to novel constructions in cranes whereby, as one feature of the invention. cables to take the strain of heavy loads of molten metal are whollydiscarded, and construction is used which is as nearly proof against giving way under load as can be devised. At the same time, the various movements of the load to carry it from one place to another. raising or lowering it, or moving it lengthwise or laterally h r spect the plane of the floor of the in which the crane is installed, are provided for through novel mechanisms which constitute other valuable features of the invention. In addition there iscoupled f r use with the main load carrying devices of the crane, other if leper -tly operable hoisting mechanism which is of value in tipping or til.tin the metal holding receptacle when its contents is to be poured into molds, or for use in handling parts in makingrepairs to said main load carrying devices. i

My invention consists in many novel features of construction and arrangements and combinations of parts for the successful attainment of the ends above outlined, together with many others not at this time specifically enumerated, but which will appear. fully and in detail as understanding of the invention is had from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawin s, in which,

Fig. l is an elevation of the crane as mounted for operation in an open-hearth steel plant.

Fig. 2 is. a somewhat enlarged transverse cross section through the crane bridge, showing the mechanism at one side of the plane of the section in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 33, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with the covers for the gearing mechanisms removed to disclose the arrangement of the gearing. l

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section through the vertically movable carrier mounted to traverse the depending supports which, in turn are carried by the trolley.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the trolley and the mounting of the depending supports thereon, and r Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the lower end structure of said depending supportsused to prevent disengagement of the vertically movable carrier therefrom.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

In the mounting of the bridge of the crane, tracks 1 are used and secured in spaced apart relation, being suitably supported in any preferred manner in the building in which the crane is to be installed and located lengthwise thereof. The bridge includes two spaced apart sides 2 connected in any well known and conven tional manner and carried on wheels 3 at their ends on the tracks 1. The wheels are driven through gears 41: fixed on the between the motor shaft and thesha-ft 6, gear 8 on the shaft 6 indicating the position of the gearing, as shown in Fig. 1. The usual cage 9 for the operator of the crane is attached to move with the bridge. The operator has control of the motor 7 and by driving it in different directions may move the bridge back and forthont-he tracks 1 to any desired position. The bridge,-its mounting for movement, and the means for movin' the same areal-l cld in construction and need not be further specifically outlined.

The sides 2 of the bridge are comprised of built-up steel beams and are of great strengthand rigidity. the upper side of each ,member 2, two parallel tracks 10 are mounted to carry a trolley designed to traverse the bridge lengthwise thereof. The trolley includessides 11 having rollers or wheels 12 and 12 adjacent the. ends thereof whichr m on the tracks 10. An electric motor 13 drives the shafts 15 "on which the wheels 12? are secured through suitable gearing Which is housed in the housings 14.

Cioss bars 16 and 17 connect the sides 11 of thetrolley between which, at the upper side of each of the sides 11, trunnions 18 are formed integral with the sides of the carriage.

A built-up beam 19 is located over the trolley and between the bars 16 and 17, at each end and on its under side having a plate secured in which a trunnion socket or bearing 20 is formed so as to receive the trunnions 18, thereby mounting the beam for rocking movements. A depending support ing member 21 is connected with the beam 19 near each end thereof so as to pass downward at the inner side of each of the side members 11 of the trolley. These members 21 are also of built-up steel construction and permanently secured attheir upper ends to the beam 19 and braced so as to be rigid inconnection therewith. At opposite sides .of each member 21, racks 22 and 23 are permanently secured, as shown.

A vertically movable carriage is mounted on the members 21 so as to traverse the same. In construction this vertically movable carriage hastwo side bars 24 of channel iron spaced apart, between which, at each end frames for carrying gearing are located and secured. Each frame comprises sides 24 which lie alongside the end portions of the channels 24, an end 25 and two spaced apart bars 26 and 27 parallel to each other and tothe end 25, all formed as a single casting. The gearing referred to is mounted between the bars 26 and 27 and between the bars 25 and 26. In practice, I prefer to cover the mechanism between the bars '26 and 27 by suitable covers 28, and the gearing between the bars 25 and 26 by covers 2S there-- by preventing the entrance of. dust or other foreign matter.

Two electric motors 2 9 are meunted on suitable bracket feet 30 to the motor "frames and supported on the I-beams 31 carried by and under the side channels 24. 'lihemetor shafts have pinions v 32 fined thereon which mesh with gears 33, one on each of two shafts-3'4 located in parallel relation to each each of-the four gears 86 which with pinions 37 are fixed on short shafts 38 located between the bars 26 and 27. The pinions 37 mesh with and drive gears 39 secured on shafts 40 extending from each inner bar 27 outwardly across the adjacent bars 26 and to the ends 25, each of the shafts 40 also having a pinion 41 thereon adjacent the ends 25 which engage with and drive gears 42 on. short shafts 43 on which are also wide pinions 44 in engagement with the racks 22 and 23. It is apparent that the four pinions 44 serve to move along the tracks made by the racks 22 and 23 and raise or lower the vertically movable carriage, the shafts 34 running in opposite directions and in unison so as to equalize the movement of the carriage on the supporting members 21 at all times. The control of the motors 29 is exercised by the operator of the crane from his stage of operation. The coupling of the shafts 34 together by the gears 34 permits the working of the carriage under light loads by one motor, if desired, and the coupling of the two motors together to add their powers when both are operating. A brake band 45 around a suitable drum on each shaft 34 is actuated by an arm 46 to tighten against the drum or loosen therefrom, the operation of the brakes being identical with the operation of the same on elevators; that is, the brakes are normally set by springs when the mechanism is at rest and released by solenoid operation as the current passes to the motor to start the same. This acts to cause an automatic setting of the brakes when the'power is out off. The solenoid position is diagrammatically indicated at 47 but the detail of construction is not illustrated, the same being old and well known.

From the ends 25 and cross bars 26-and 27 of the frame in which the gearing just described is mounted, plates 48 extend clownwardly for a short distance, at the lower ends of which bars of I-beam cross section,

as indicated at 49 are secured, lying one at each side of the supporting members 21 and closely adjacent to the racks 22 and 23 thereon. The plates 48 depending from the cross bars 26 are extended below the plane of the bars 49 and other plates 50 are connected to and depend from said bars in parallel relation thereto so that pivot pins 51 may be interposed between on which hook members 52 are pivotally mounted. These hook members, preferably are made from several laminations of steel plate and have hooks formed at their lower ends for the reception of trunnions 58 projecting in opposite directions from a frame 54 in which a ladle 55 adapted to receive molten metal is carried.

At the lower ends of the outer plates 48 bars 56 of angle iron are permanently secured in horizontal position which, in the lowermost position of the vertically movable carriage on the members 21 and as the pinions 44 are about to leave the racks 22 and 23 come against bumper blocks 57, spring supported by springs 58 which are supported on and above fixed bars 59 at the lower ends of the members 21. This is one means of insuring that the carriage with its load of ladle with or without its molten metal contents shall not detach from and drop off the members 21. Any other equivalent stop means may be used, as may be designed for the purpose.

From the foregoing, it will be evldent that the ladle may be moved with the bridge lengthwise of the building in which the crane is installed, may be moved with the trolley on the bridge back and forth to d1fferent positions between the ends of the bridge, and maybe raised and lowered to any position within the limits imposed by the racks 22 and 23 and the pinions 44 engaging therewith. For instance, as shown in Fig. 1, the ladle may be carried over to and lowered under the outlet spout 60 to .a furnace, the ladle being filled with molten metal and then carried to ingot molds 61 mounted on cars 62 which traverse tracks63. The ladle is tapped at the bottom to. deliver its contents into the molds and themolds may be moved along in succession to receive the metal from the ladle.

In order to tip or tilt the ladle, I have mounted a second trolley with hoisting apparatus thereon on members 64 having tracks 65 at their upper sides on which the trolley is mounted. The members or beams 64 are located between the sides 2 of the bridge and parallel thereto, being secured at their ends so as to rigidly connect with and move with the bridge. The second trolley includes sides 66 connected together and having wheels 67 to ride on the tracks 65, the sides being connected by cross members 68 above which a winding drum 69 is mounted and on which cables 70 are adapted to be wound. A fixed pulley block 71 is secured to the trolley and a movable pulley block 72 located under the trolley with the cables threaded therethrough, a hook 7 8 depending from the block 72 which may be used to connect with the loop 74 on the bottom of the ladle 55, it being evident that with the Winding of the drum 69 to take in the cables, the block and attached hook 73 are. raised and the ladle maybe tilted thereby. The trolley is movable along the tracks 65 and the drum is operated by an electric motor, indicated at 7 The specific mechanisms by which these operations are accomplished do not enter into the present invention, and are not described and shown herein. The second, hoisting mechanism, in addition to its use asa means for tilting the ladle, may be used for manyother purposes, in fact for any of the purposes for which a relatively small hoisting apparatus movably mounted on a crane bridge maybe used, and in the particular combination shown it is of value in handling parts and the like in making repairs on the main ladle handling apparatus.

The structure described is particularly adapted for the safe handling of heavy materials wherein all danger of breakage or other failure of the construction to operate must be avoided. There are no cables on which the weight of the molten metal must bear and by which it must be sustained. The strong and rigid members 21. carrying the load are amply strong to sustain the same, and any likely breakage therein readily detected and remedied before it occurs. The swinging mount of the beam 19 permits a latitude of movement of the load which is advantageous at times and relieves strains on the construction. All parts are easily inspected and may be kept in repair and to full strength at, all times. 7

The appended claims define the invention, and it is to be considered that all forms of structure coming within the scope of said claims are comprehended by this invention.

I claim:

1. A crane comprising a bridge, a trolley mounted to traverse the bridge in a direction at right angles to the movement of the bridge, spaced apart depending supporting members depending from the trolley between the ends thereof, a vertically movable carriage mounted on and extending horizontally between said members for vertical movements, and means for moving said vertically movable carriage up and down on said members, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. A crane comprising a bridge movably mounted to travel horizontally in one direction, a trolley mounted on the bridge for right angles to the direction of movement of he-b idge, two spac ua-ner v ti al mem bers carriedby and movable with the trolley and extending downwardly belowthe bridge between the ends of said trolley, a carriage mounted on and extending horizontally between said members for vertical movements and ,means vfor actuating said carriage t move itupor down on saidmembers' 3. A crane comprising a bridge movably mounted to travel horizontally in one direction, a trolley mounted on the blidge for movement horizontally in a direction at right angles tothe direction otmovement of the-bridge, two spaced apartvertical members carried by and movable with thetrolley and extending downwardly between the ends or said trolley below the bridge, racks onopposite sides oisaid members,a carriage lo.- cated between and around said members, gearing mounted on the carriage anden 'agthe racks, and means for driving the gearing in either direction to raise or lower the carriage on the said members, substantially as described. 7 i f;

at. A crane comprising a bridge movably mounted to travel horizontally back and forth in one direction, a .trolley mountedfon the bridge to move horizontally back and forth in a direction at right angles'to the direction of movement ofjthe'bridge, afbeam mounted for rocking movements on the trolley longitudinally of the bric go, two mem bers depending from the beam in. spaced apart relation, and a load carrying carriage mounted on said members for up and down movements thereon, substantially as described.

A crane comprising a bridge-movably 11101111 66 1 to travel horizontally back and forth in one direction, a trolley mountedon the bridge to move horizontallyback and forth in a directionat right angles to-the direction of movement of the bridge, a-;.b eam extending between the ends of the trolley and mounted onsaid ends of the trolley to swing about a horizontal aXis-parallel-tothe length of the beam, two members rigidly connected to and depending atrom the-beam inside of the ends of the trolley, and aload carrying carriage mounted on said members for movements up and down thereon, sub stantially as described.

6. In a'crane, a movably mounted trolley, a beam mounted for rocking movements about a horizontal axis and mounted on the trolley,two rigidmembers rigidly connected to said beam at their upper ends and extending downwardly-from said beam, a load carrying carriage mounted onsaid members to traverse the same, and means for-actuating said load carrying carriage to Inovethe same in either direction on'said members.

'7. In a crane, amovably mountedtro'l-ley, a beam mounted horizontally on and above said trolley, rigid members connected at ieam h ir, uppe -sedat and depend ng f om the b am oil 'in cie. ah 9 o th' iib y, 11 load carrying carriage mounted on the mem hereto; traverse the same, and meansfor actuating the load carry ng carriage to move the some in either direction on saidmembcrs. :8, a crane, a trolley mounted for move ments hack and forth in a horizontal plane, two s aced apart rigid :members carried by e the i110, ey andldependihg'below the same, means for nounting' said members on the trolley whereby the 'sa memay swing in-unison about a horizontal axis, racks on opposed sidesotthe members, a load carrying carriage located between and around said men'ibers, pinions on the carriage engaging the racks, andmeansfor driving the pinioiis in unison to cause the load carrying carriage to traverse said members. i i

9, In a crane,-a movably mounted trolley adapted to move'bac'k and forth in a horizonta'l plane, a beam mounted horizontally for rocking movements about ahorizontzil axis on the trolley, two spaced-apart rigid members iixedat their upper ends to the beam and depending belowthe same, racks on oppositesides ofthe members, a load carry' E carriage, pinions on ,the load carrying carriage meshing with the racks, and means to drive the pinions'to cause the load carrying carriageto traverse said members.

10. In a crane, a trolley mounted for movements back and forth in a horizontal plane and including two spaced apart connected sides, each being formed with a trunini on, a beam located abovethe trolley, socket members attached to the beam at its ends and engaging with said trunnions whereby the beam may have [a rocking movement, depending rigid members rigidly attached at their uppe'rends to said beam, and a load carrying carriagemounted on and adapted to traverse said members.

11. In a crane, a trolley mounted for movements back and forth ina horizontal plane, two spaced apart rigid memberscarried by the trolley and extending downwardly therefrom, each of said members having a rack on each of two opposed sides thereof, a carriage mounted on said members, pinions on the carriage engaging theracks, an electric motor calrriedby the carriage, and gearing connections between the motor and said pinions for drivingthe pinions from the motor, -substantially as "and jtor the purposes described.

125111 a crane, a trolley mounted tor movements back and forth in horizontal plane, two spaced apart rigid members carried by the trolley and extending downwardly therefrom, racks on opposed sides of each otthe members, a load carryingcar- 'riage mounted on said members, pinions on the oarri agein mesh-With the racks,two electric motors-on the carriage, and gearing connections between the motors and the pinions whereby all of the pinions may be driven by either of the motors or by the motors working together.

ill. in a crane, a trolley mounted for movements back and forth in a horizontal shafts for causing the same to turn equallyin unison, and gearing connections between each end of each shaft and one of the pinions, substantially as described.

14. In a crane, a trolley mounted for movements back and forth in a horizontal plane, two spaced apart rigid members carried by the trolley and extending downwardly therefrom, a carriage mounted on the members for movements up and down thereon, said carriage including an upper frame of rectangular outline, means carried on said frame for actuating the carriage for movement along said members, members depending from the frame, bars attached to said members below the frame, and hooks pivotally connected to the members and depending therefrom, substantially as and for the purposes described.

15. In a crane, a horizontally movable trolley, a beam located transversely thereof and having a rocking mount on the trolley,

members rigidly attached to the beam and extending downwardly therefrom, a load carrying carriage mounted on the members for vertical movements upwardly and downwardly thereon, means for actuating the carriage to move the same in either directiou along said members, and two spaced apart hooks pivotally connected to and depending from the carriage, substantially as described.

16. In a crane, a bridge, a trolley mounted on the bridge for back and forth movements lengthwise of the bridge, a beam, mounted transversely of the trolley for rocking movements about an axis parallel to the center line of the beam, two rigid members rigidly attached at their upper ends to the beam at spaced apart points and depending from the beam, a. rack on each of two opposed sides of each of the members, a load carrying carriage mounted to traverse the 7 members, pinions on the carriage engaging with the racks, two motors mounted on the carriage, two shafts driven by the motors, gearing between the shafts for causing the shafts to be driven equally and in opposite directions, and gearing between each end of each shaft and a pinion, substantially as and for the purposes described.

17. In a crane, a trolley, means for mounting the same, two rigid members depending below and carried by the trolley, said members each carrying two racks on opposed sides of the members, a load carrying carriage mounted to traverse the members, pinions on said load carrying carriage engaging the racks, and means on the carriage to drive the pinions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE EDWARD MOORE. 

